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How to disable the Google Now swipe up from Home action

One of the advantages of Android devices with on-screen navigation keys is the quick access to Google Now by just swiping up from the bottom of the home button. While it may not seem like a biggie, it is a god sent ability to directly jump into Google Now from anywhere you are in the OS.

However, this small feature also a cause for a big headache for many people. Numerous times, I have ended up opening Google Now while playing Zombie Flick or Fruit Ninja on my Nexus 4.

In comes Google Now Swipe Disabler from developer Adrian Campos. The application can replace the stock swipe up to Google Now action with any other app, or altogether disable it. The application is pretty simple to use, and does not even require root access to work properly.

Step 1: Download Google Now Swipe disabler from here, and fire it up on your Android device. The application will work on all Android devices with on-screen navigation keys and the HTC One, which has the swipe up to open Google Now action as well.

Step 2: Fire up Google Now Swipe Disabler and then select the Chose action option. The app will now populate a list of all your installed apps, and then present you with the option to assign any action to the gesture. Apart from disabling Google Now, you can assign the app to open any other app, do a voice search, open the Recents Apps list and more.

Step 3: Once you have selected your desired action, go back to your home screen. Now, when you will initiate the Swipe up from home screen action for the first time, you will get an option to “Complete the action using” pop-up. Select ‘Google Now Swipe Disabler’ from the pop-up, and set it as the default option. This step will replace the default action of opening Google Now with any other action specified by you.

Personally, I use the app to map the action to quickly do a voice search. It is much, much faster than opening Google Now and then tapping on the mic button.

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Patruns

“Numerous times, I have ended up opening Google Now while playing Zombie Flick or Fruit Ninja on my Nexus 4. ”

That really should disqualify you from writing tech articles…..

Rajesh

Care to elaborate?

Gautam

He is just taking a dig at you for playing Zombie Flick and Fruit Ninja. I agree 🙂

Guest

well thankyou for the article. I was wondering how to do this!

Amenia

well thankyou for the article. I was wondering how to do this

Yurik

To disable the feature/annoyance ought to be in the general settings.

Thornes

Also, you can just go to Settings-Apps and disable Google Search app. This will cost you the widget on your homescreen, but for me it is a sacrifice I could stand for. No need to download the app, but it shows as a agreeable path as well.

CaptnHowdy

If you disable google search it shuts off things like voice to text.

Nero

Worth it! 😀

DeeSnood

Totally worth it. I was almost at the point of sending back my LG G Pad 8.3 because of this annoying gesture. Or I’d install Gingerbread or buy an apple device. Whatever it takes to get shot of that google now bullsh!t.

LoveFritzy

Soooo worth it!

Scott Russ

Anyone reading this and thinking it’s a good idea; well, it’s not. Get the app in the article. Disabling Google Search is a dumb idea and will lead to many many performance issues, I can’t believe 12 people upvoted it.

Yeah, those jerks! With all their damn software that we rely on every day, completely for free.

Susan A

Was “Explain to the world at large that I have no concept of what money is” the only item on your ToDo list, today? Because if it wasn’t, I’m kind of curious what the other items are. If there’s room, add the following to your list:

(Solve for X)

“X = Where Google gets the tens of millions of dollars it’s
required by law to pay its employees every month”

“X = Where Google’s obtained the billions of dollars it’s
spent on its physical infrastructure”

“X = Where Google’s obtained the billions of dollars it’s
paid out in dividends to investors”

“X = Where Google’s obtained the hundreds of millions – if not
billions – of dollars it’s paid for all the companies it’s purchased.”

Hint: “X” is the same for each problem and you’re probably a
part of it.

Hkt_KimJi

Great! thanks.

solar

This app seems to have been removed from the Play store. Any known alternatives? (Ones that also do not require root access)

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